After completing the fourth book in the emperor series, Iggulden began research for his next series of books, the Conqueror series, based on the life of Mongol warlords Genghis, Ogedai, and Kublai Khan. His first book, Wolves of the Plains, was available from 2 January 2007. Then followed his second book, Lord of the Bows, on 2 January 2008. Bones of the Hills, the third book in the series, was released on 1 September 2008. I liked it because it is nicely written in a style that only Conn Iggulden can employ. So, for some, especially if you are not passionate about history, Greek wars, battle description etc., you might find it a bit boring and long. To me, it sets the scene for what is coming, and it helps the main character (Pericles) grow for an in-depth re-creation of who this man was and what he did to remain a hero in Greek history.

Conn Iggulden - Penguin Books UK Conn Iggulden - Penguin Books UK

I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about. In 2017, Iggulden published a historical fiction novel called Dunstan, [11] chronicling the life of the 10th century monk and political adviser to the Saxon Kings of England, St. Dunstan. That’s about it for the moment. If you’d like to get in touch with me leave a comment in the forum or you can tweet me @Conn_Iggulden. I’ll leave it there for the moment. If you’ve read my books, you know an awful lot about the way I think already. There’s no point overdoing it.Lords of the Bow (2008, ISBN 978-0-00-720177-8) (titled Genghis: Lords of the Bow 2010, ISBN 978-0-385-34279-7) The battles are set far from home this time. While this is by no means a ‘light’ story, it’s also not as dark as the previous two. Not witnessing the heartbreak of seeing your home, your city, fall to invaders knowing it’s going to be impossible to keep them out, changes the tone. The Athenians are taking the fight to them, and it changes the mood. There’s an undercurrent of hope and determination, rather than the helplessness prevalent beforehand.

Lion by Conn Iggulden (Hardback) - Coles Books Lion by Conn Iggulden (Hardback) - Coles Books

Connor Igguldenwas born on 24 February 1971 to an English father (who was anRAF pilotduring theSecond World War) and an Irish mother (whose grandfather was aseanchaí). He went to Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary inRuislip, Middlesex, then attendedSt Martins School in Northwood, before moving on toMerchant Taylors’ School. In August 2014, Iggulden was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue. [6] Career [ edit ] Historical fiction [ edit ]The battles of the past are still fresh in the memories of the current, this helps to fuel the need for a fleet and to have people with experience around those in control. There are politics that come into play, but this is not a main part of the story. Ancient Greece without its politics just wouldn't be right! The author brings the characters to life with decisions, friendships, battles and pretty much from the point of Pericles who will have a larger role in history. Genghis Khan is dead, but his legend and legacy have not yet left the plains. Ogedai, his son, has built a white city on a great plain which becomes the capital of a new nation. During this time, new enemies are coming together to find out which Genghis has the strength of a Khan. A new empire is being raised at the Italian peninsula. During this time, two boys, at the City of Rome are transforming to men whose ambitions are nothing but glory, battles and serving the greatest empire in the world. PRAISE FOR CONN IGGULDEN: 'Brings war in the ancient world to vivid, gritty and bloody life' ANTHONY RICHES

The Golden Age - Penguin Books UK

My own reading of that time period ( Aeschylus, for instance, makes an appearance in The Lion) makes this book even more interesting, but simultaneously can render it a little dull. The characters have to be more compelling, and in this case not all of them were. There are some excellent moments, but I wish that they were followed through on just a little longer. While I understand where he chose to end the book, I think going just a little longer would have offered a more satisfying denouement. It is a fact that there are very few successful novels about the great age of democratic Athens. Someday someone will do Cimon justice. Pericles the Athenian by Rex Warner is very good in a rather intellectual way. The best existing novels are about the years of Athens’ defeat in the Peloponnesian War, Mary Renault’s The Last of the Wine and Stephanie Plowman’s Road to Sardis, Tom Holt’s The Walled Orchard. The author’s attempt is not entirely unsuccessful, but I suspect the target audience does not include a curmudgeon like me.At age of fourteen, the boys separate. Marius joins the legions fighting in Greece and makes his fortune; Gaius remains with his uncle during a bitter civil war and learns invaluable political lessons. One of them is a senator’s son, who has been given everything to achieve his dream. The other is an adopted child who is cunning and strong. His love for his adoptive family and brother will be the most powerful force in his life. The prologue starts in the point of view of Pausanias, so you'd think he'd be important to the story, right? Wrong. He turns up for some minor passages throughout the first act and then promptly goes home to die quietly. Historically true, but doesn't mean you have to structure the narrative around him.

Lion By Conn Iggulden | Used | 9781405949651 | World of Books Lion By Conn Iggulden | Used | 9781405949651 | World of Books

There are a total of 5 books under this series. The Gates of Romerelates the story of two young boys, Gaius and Marcus, as they grow to adulthood during the last years of the Roman Republic, a period of great political turmoil, chaos, and violence. I found it hard to engage with most of the characters. Pericles, the main character, was difficult to understand and contradictory. I did not understand his determination to marry the complete stranger they met on an island. He behaved like he'd never seen a female before. Nor did I understand why he and his wife became so nasty to each other once they were married. Yes, he suspected she was in love with someone else, but given all the talk about Athenian men learning to be calm and mature, you'd think he could do better. That brings me to my other big problem with this book. I'm fairly sure it was written originally as two stories and glued together because they weren't long enough. Johnson, Ani (May 2017). "Dunstan: One Man Will Change the Fate of England by Conn Iggulden". thebookbag.co.uk . Retrieved 19 April 2018. This will be an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in history, military strategy, and the ancient world!This is more the story of Pericles, his decisions and his thoughts as he makes the transition from a young man into an adult and all the responsibilities that come with it. His family, his personal life and made it a more character-based story. There are plenty of other characters but focusing on just one gave a brilliant insight into one of history's figures. The sights, sounds and smells of Athens bring history to life with gripping brilliance' DAILY MIRROR In this third book of Iggulden’s series, we follow the early career of Pericles, son of Xanthippus. Much of it is imagined as little is known of Pericles’ early life and many of the events of this period were unrecorded until much later. His generation followed in the footsteps of those who fought at Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis and sought to emulate their heroes. I am conscious that the above paragraph reads like faint praise. The truth is that, despite its readability, I have problems with the plot and characterisation. First, the clear and obvious hero of the book is Cimon, who steals every scene in which he appears. Pericles pales into insignificance in his presence. The story flags when Cimon is not present. Second, Pericles himself comes over as shallow and impetuous, nothing like how I might envisage the historical figure. True, he is young and inexperienced, but Cimon although not much older is a successful leader of men. Then there are the cardboard cut-out villains, Attikos (fictional) and Ephialtes (historical). Finally there is the entirely implausible love affair and marriage of Pericles to the unsuitable Thetis, the captive concubine of a pirate from Scyros. I just cannot conceive that this could possibly have occurred in the Athens of the aristocratic Pericles. Dunstan, One Man Will Change the Fate of England by Conn Iggulden". www.penguin.co.uk . Retrieved 25 September 2017.